β-Hydroxyalkylphosphonates were treated with a weak base such as potassium carbonate in N,N-dimethylformamide to give the corresponding olefins in good yields.
β-Hydroxyalkylphosphonates, prepared readily from alkylphosphonates and carbonyl compounds, were treated with a fluorideion to give the corresponding olefins in fairly good yields. Use of CsF in N,N-dimethylformamide gave the best result.